Flatiron Building Essay

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In a series of ten works, estimated to be more archaic than the Christian scriptures of the Old Testament. Vitruvius, a Roman architect and engineer, wrote the treatise: De architectura – based on a set of principles concerned with the theory of architecture, also known as the Vitruvian triad. He highlights the importance of structural integrity, utility and function, and the honesty of true beauty defined by a paradigm of, “firmness, commodity and delight.” Vitruvius’ writings established a concept that influenced the craft of architecture developed to be the essential components of successful architectural design as the craft progressed through centuries. Book I, emphasizes the importance of education in many branches of study an architect should be trained in. “… And nobody who has not learned the fundamental principles of physics from philosophy will be able to provide against the damage they do” (Pollio, Morgan, p. 8). Architects undergo technicalities, and limitations within the design process because of the responsibility of safety in regards to humans and the structural stability of architecture. Vitruvius denotes firmness, in several chapters of his works, by developing structural integrity. He explored the stress analysis of materials and their behavior, elaborated on the mechanics of failure during fabrication processes and sought proportions of column orders. The oldest form of structure, a Neolithic principal regurgitated by Vitruvius – the ancient Greeks adopted the post and lintel system, or trabeated architecture in the development of the Classical-Orders. The appearance of a Greek building comes from the ordering of the principal structural members according to particular and accepted modes called orders. The principal structural members of columns and entablatures differ in proportion and details, with capitals being the most distinguishing feature (Pearson, 2011) The White House, (Figure. A.1), a mansion designed in a neo-classical style with architectural detail of the Grecian Ionic order in its columns and entablature; exhibits as an example of firmness in its balanced proportions in design and the timeline of structural changes. The home of the president has evolved with the personal touches of its residents to the structure, and accommodated such technological changes such as the installation of electricity. However, the mansion still remains as a firm and monumental model in the built-environment. “Architecture is the art of organizing space; but it is by construction that it expresses itself…” - French architect, Aguste Perret. Architectural design serves …show more content…
D.4) , New York, is a structure of impeccable example to “form follows function” - Louis Sullivan. It is from utility that beauty is a result in its concepts. The distinctive triangular shape of the Flatiron Building, designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham and built in 1902, allowed it to fill the wedge-shaped property located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway (History.com, 2010). As this divided the street in its placement, it allowed the efficient arrangement of space by its division of the neighboring streets. The most prominent characteristic of the Flatiron Building’s design, initially inspired skepticism about whether it would actually be stable enough to survive (History.com, 2010) - Claiming that the combination of triangular shape and height would cause the building to fall down. However, the structure stands firm, and fits the city’s urban makeup phases in harmony, with it’s members are in proportion to correct principles of symmetry. The Flatiron building of Chicago is a primary example of Vitruvius’ importance of structural integrity, as its shape is adjusted to the site providing a harmonious work of art in its

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